ASAHIKAWA Info June 2011 VOL. 175 Also visit us at: www.city.asahikawa.hokkaido.jp/files/kokusaikouryu/english/index.html June 2011 Compiled by TAKADA Nobuhiro April 25 A 30-year-old candidate, Naomichi Suzuki was elected as the mayor of Yubari City. Mr. Suzuki, the youngest mayor in Japan, is a former Tokyo metropolitan government official who had been sent off to help the bankrupt Yubari City last year. Also, in the nationwide local elections on April 24th, 32-year-old Tsuyoshi Aoyama was elected mayor of Muroran City. April 29 “Feeeal Asahikawa” commercial complex in the building of the former Marui Imai Department Store, is scheduled to open on June 24th. “Junkudo Book Store,” one of the largest book store chains in Japan, has decided to open a store in the building. The opening of the complex, which will also house the Asahikawa City International Division, is expected to vitalize the city centers including the “Kaimono Koen Shopping Street.” May 6 A multiple pileup involving 23 cars occurred in “Tokiwa Tunnel” between Asahikawa and Fukagawa on “Doho Ex- press Way.” 12 people were slightly injured in the accident. As a result the express way between Asahikawa and Fuka- gawa was closed to traffic for up to five hours. May 6 “Eastar Jet,” a South Korean budget airline, has opened routes for the first time in Hokkaido. The low cost carrier oper- ates two flights a week between New Chitose and Inchon near Seoul. About 150 passengers traveled on the inaugural flight on May 5th. The cost of a round trip ticket is from \22,000 to \29,000, plus an additional \6,000 fuel and service surcharge. May 20 11 top officials of Otaru City are to stand trial in a summary procedure for the violation of Public Office Election Law. The officials had allegedly sold tickets for an election fund raising party for the new mayor elected in April. Govern- ment employees are prohibited by the Political Funds Control Law in engaging in political fund-raising or using their influence to promote candidates. Inside This Issue... For further information or to register Hokkaido News Top 5 1 Book Review 7 for events contact: By TAKADA Nobuhiro “Mucho Uchimura-ish Me Asahikawa International Committee By Michelle La Fay” (SASAKI Mai, Sergej NESIC, or SAITO Upcoming Events 2-3 Emmy) Hello Wildflowers 8 Location: Hello Asahikawa 4-5 “Ezonoryukinka” International Affairs Division, Civic and “Andrew Seward” By KUDOH Hitoshi Community Services Dept. By AIC Movies 9 Address: English From Nihongo 6 Third Office 1F, Asahikawa City Hall, 6- By KAWAI Tatsuo Bulletin Board 10 jo-dori 10-chome, Asahikawa 070-8525 Tel: (0166) 25-7491 Fax: (0166) 23-4924 E-mail: Special Thanks to KAWAI Tatsuo [email protected] Proofreader & Advisor Page 2 ASAHIKAWA Info 27TH ANNUAL “KYOKUSUI POPS” CONCERT 第27回旭吹ポップスコンサート Topped as the “new sound in brass”and conducted by legendary IWAI Naohiro, Pops Brass Orchestra’s 2011 two-part concert will include a wide variety of genres. The tunes on the playlist will include “Manhattan,” “Summertime,” a Benny Goodman medley, an Elvis Presley medley, and many more. Date: June 11th (Saturday) Time: Doors 6:00pm, Show 6:30pm Venue: Asahikawa Civic Culture Hall (7-jo 9-chome) Admission: General \800 (\1,000 at the door), Students \500 (\700 at the door) Ticket Office: Yamaha Music Asahikawa Store, Asahikawa Civic Culture Center, Asahi- kawa Taisetsu Crystal Arena For further information contact: 62-2785 (TONAMI) EXPERIENCE NORDIC WALKING ノルディックウォーキングのつどい Sunday June 19th is the summer season Asahikawa Citizens Sports Health Day. One of the major citizen activities on the day will be a Nordic walk along the scenic course in Hanasaki Sports Park. Nordic walking is walking with the aid of special poles similar to cross-country skiing. 70 sticks will be available for use on the day, as well as a talk by NA- TSUMI Madoka, the Japan’s Nordic Skiing representative in the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. Bring along walking gear, something to drink, and a change of clothes. Date: June 19th (Sunday) Time: Opening Ceremony 9:30am, warm-up and a short beginners class 9:40am, start 10:00am Venue: Hanasaki Sports Park (in front of the Hanasaki Integrated Gymnasium) Admission: \500 (limit of 150 participants) Ticket Office: Apply at “Taiiku Kyokai” in the Asahikawa Hanasaki Integrated Gymnasium (Hanasaki-cho 5-chome) or at the Asahikawa City Sports Division (Asahikawa City 5th Office 5-jo 10-chome) “SWAN LAKE” PERFORMED BY THE UCHIYAMA BALLET STUDIO 内山バレエスタジオの白鳥の湖 The complete rendition of Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece performed by the dancers from the UCHIYAMA Ballet Studio. The program will open with Petit Fleur, followed by Swan Lake, a lecture in honor of the late UCHIYAMA Reiko, a performance of La Sylphide by KOMURA Hikaru and KURA Kenta of The Royal Ballet of London, and Ballet Mistress performed by 3 male and 4 female dancers. Date: June 26th (Sunday) Time: Doors 3:00pm,Show 3:30pm Venue: Asahikawa Civic Culture Hall (7-jo 9-chome) Admission: General \2,000, Reserved Tickets \3,500 For further information contact: 23-3377 (UCHIYAMA Reiko Ballet Studio) KEN NISHIKIORI TENOR RECITAL 錦織健 テノールリサイタル NISHIKIORI’s voice has earned him numerous awards as well as TV and radio appearances. He will be joined on piano by TADA Satoko for a program which includes pieces from clas- sical composers such as Handel’s “Messiah,” Rossini’s “La Danza,” Bernstein’s “Westside Story,” plus many more. The program will also include works by Japanese composers. Date: June 23rd (Thursday) Time: Doors 6:30pm, Show 7:00pm Venue: Asahikawa Taisetsu Crystal Hall (Kagura 3-jo 7-chome) Admission: General \3,500, Silver & Heartful Pass Holders \3,000, Students \1,500 Ticket Office: Potato Asahikawa Cable TV Shop, Kawai Music Showroom, Gyokkado, Ya- maha Music Asahikawa Store, Asahikawa Civic Culture Hall, Asahikawa Taisetsu Crystal Hall For further information contact: 69-2000 (Asahikawa Taisetsu Crystal Hall) ASAHIKAWA Info Page 3 TAISETSU SPORTS FORUM PUBLIC LECTURE 市民公開講座 大雪スポーツフォーラム A two part lecture titled “Let’s Build A Winning Body” featuring experts in the field of sport therapy and injury prevention and treatment. In the first part of the lecture MAEDA Kensaburo from Toyooka Central Hospital will talk on the spot injury diagnosis, preven- tion and treatment. Also, KOHARA Kazuhiro, from Asahikawa Medical College, will talk about sport performance and the science behind achieving top form. In the second part of the lecture SHIBATA Munenori, trainer of the Japanese Junior Women Volleyball Team, will talk about training essential for success in top level competition. Date: June 4th (Saturday) Time: 1st Part 4:00pm, 2nd Part 4:30pm Venue: Hokuyo Building 8F (4-jo 9-chome) Admission: Free WAKAHARA RYO AND MIZUTA RYUKO JOINT CONCERT 若原りょう・水田竜子ジョイントコンサート Both of these popular singers are Asahikawa natives but have gone on to achieve nationwide success. MIZUTA has been recording albums since 1995 and WAKAHARA made his debut with the 2004 hit “Denwa” (Telephone). Date: June 19th (Sunday) Time: Doors 1:30pm, Show 2:00pm Venue: Takasu Melody Hall (Takasu Minami 2-jo 4-chome) Admission: General \2,000 (at the door \2,500) Ticket Office: Gyokkodo, A-Coop Kitano Store, Shinohara Store, Takasu Melody Hall, Asahikawa Crystal Hall, Yamaha Music Asahikawa Store For further information contact: 87-2500 (Takasu Melody Hall) MASTERPIECES OF NORDIC MODERN DESIGN FROM ODA NORITSUGU COLLECTION 「北欧の美しいくらし」織田憲嗣コレクション A design exhibition of furniture and household goods from the golden age of Scandinavian Nordic Design during the 50’s and 60’s. The exhibits are taken from the famous collection of Tokai University professor ODA Noritsugu, and include around 300 artifacts. The exhibition centers on the extensive chair collection of which 80 will be on display. Date: June 1st to July 3rd (Sunday) Time: 9:30am~5:00pm (last entry 4:30pm) Museum is closed on Mondays Venue: Hokkaido Asahikawa Museum of Art (Tokiwa Park) Admission: General \900(* for groups of over 10 people \700) University & High School Students \600(* \400,) Junior High & Elementary School Students Free. Ticket Office: Hokkaido Asahikawa Museum of Art For further information contact: 25-2577 (Hokkaido Asahikawa Museum of Art) “THE NEWSPAPER” COMEDY TROUPE 社会風刺コント集団「ザ・ニュースペーパー」 The comedians from The Newspaper are back in Asahikawa bringing their unique take on Japanese politics and current affairs. This season’s political line up will include the impersonations of Prime Minister KAN, former Prime Ministers KOIZUMI and HATO- YAMA, and the rest of the Diet heavyweights. Also, president Obama will make a special appearance. A guaranteed night of laughs. Date: June 6th (Monday) Time: Show 6:30pm Venue: Asahikawa Civic Culture Hall (7-jo 9-chome) Admission: General \4,500 Ticket Office: Gyokkodo, Ticket PIA, Lawson Ticket For further information contact: 011-261-9991 (Trust Kikaku Create) Page 4 ASAHIKAWA Info Name: Andy Seward Hometown: Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia Interviewed: 20th May, 2011 By AIC AIC: Tell us a little about your hometown. Andy: My hometown is the Gold Coast which is a major tourist destination in Australia. It’s fa- mous for its beautiful beaches, clean water, clean air, and its many theme parks. We have five theme parks; Dream World, Sea World, Movie World, Wet & Wild, and White Water World. The Gold Coast is a popular tourist destination for Australian and overseas visitors alike. AIC: Do many Japanese tourists visit the Gold Coast? Andy: 10 to 15 years ago the Gold Coast received many Japanese tourists. However, the Asian economic crisis of 1997 resulted in a big drop in Japanese visitors, and also in Japanese investment. There are still a good number of Japanese tourists to the Gold Coast but the growing popularity of other tourist destinations within Australia, such as Cairns and the Whitsundays, means that more and more Japanese are visiting these destinations in- stead of the Gold Coast.